Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended an olive branch to his political rival, Imran Khan, on Wednesday, offering to engage in dialogue if there were any issues to discuss. Addressing the National Assembly, he emphasized a time when politicians would criticize each other sharply but also stand together in times of joy and sorrow.
Tensions between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have persisted, exacerbated by disputes following the February 8 elections, which PTI claims to have won. Reflecting on the 2018 elections, the Prime Minister acknowledged challenges but affirmed their commitment to parliamentary participation despite alleged irregularities.
Expressing concern over the current state of political discourse, he recalled attempts during his opposition tenure to initiate dialogue with Imran Khan, lamenting the persistence of discord instead. He highlighted injustices faced by politicians and others, advocating for fairness and justice.
The Prime Minister also cited examples of mistreatment faced by political figures such as Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah during their imprisonment.
PTI to talk once Imran Khan and others are out of jail: Ayub
In response to the prime minister’s remarks, Omar Ayub, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, reiterated that the PTI would only engage with the government referred to as “Form-47” once its founder and other incarcerated workers and leaders were released from jail.
“Remember this: you torture our workers, you have detained our female workers in prison vans in scorching 45°C heat. Our Prime Minister Imran Khan was kept in a death cell, an environment akin to an oven,” he stated, amid uproar from the treasury benches.
Amidst the chaos, Ayub emphasized that the proceedings of the house could only proceed if government members respected their opposition colleagues.
Responding to the prime minister’s call for talks, Ayub said, “Reconciliation will happen when you acknowledge the mistreatment of Yasmin Rashid, Mehmood ur Rasheed, and Hasan Niazi.”
Regarding the prime minister’s assertion of facing severe conditions, Ayub countered by claiming that when former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was in prison, air conditioners were installed in his jail cell.
